Vaporizer



Feb. 18, 1930. E. R. GC-M'DWARD VAPORI ZER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 7, 1928 IN VEN TOR. c 521.? aruzrd Z ATTORNEY Feb. 18, 1930. RQQDWARD 1,747,361

VAPORIZER Filed Dec. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIXN panying drawings,

maining wet fuel Patented Feb. 18, 1930 ERNEST n. GODWARD, on NEW YORK, iv. Y.

varomzmz Application filed December 7, 1925. Serial No. 324,553.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in means for vaporizing volatile liquid fuel mixturesand the invention has for its principal ob ect to provide a novel form and construction of apparatus for treating mechanical mixtures of liquid fuels (such as hydrocarbons or other volatile combustible liquids) and air, whereby the mixture is initially passed through a relatively highly heated zone having supporting surfaces to receive heavier or less volatile constituents of the fuel mixture to delay the progress thereof so as to subject the same to vaporizing effect of maximum heat, whereupon the mixture is discharged from said initial hot zone into and through a succeedin vaporizing chamber or chambers wherein additional supporting surfaces furnished by plate elements, for any reparticles is provided; said latter plate elements being conductive of heat transmitted thereto from an underlying secondary hot plate, whereby Wet fuel particles deposited thereon are subject toa treatment by heat in nature of fractional distillation while continuing in the presence of and subject to the frictional evaporative effects of the moving fuel mixture streams from which they have been separated. and yet held ready for return to or absorption by said mixture streams immediately the volatilization point thereof is attained.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is illustrated in the accomin which 1 1g. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a vaporizer device showing one embodiment of the principles of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the cover section thereof removed and looking down into a secondary vaporizing chamber thereof; and Fig. 3 is a. horizontal section through the primary vaporizing chamber thereof, taken on line 33 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through a modified form of vaporizer device, still embodying, however, the principles of this invention; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of the same, with the cover section thereof removed, and taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate correspondin parts.

Referring'first to Figs. 1 to 3 lnclusive, the vaporizing device as therein illustrated comprises, a casing or housing 1 having an open upner end normally closed by a cover member 2, which is suitably secured to the upper open end of the casing or housing 1. The interior of the .casing or housing 1 is sub-divided by an inverted conical bottom plate 3, to provide a heater chamber 4 at the lower end of the housing or casing 1. The housing or casing 1 is provided with a fuel mixture intake 5, which leads centrally into the lower end of the housing or casing interior, the same being formed by a centrally located throat member 6 which rises through the interior of the heater chamber 4 to extend intermediate the outer bottom wall of said housing or casing to and through the bottom plate 3.

The housing or casing is provided at opposite sides with laterally extending necks 7 and 8, respectively providing inlet and outlet passages 9 and 10 leadinginto and out of the heater chamber 4. and through which, in connection with suitable delivering and discharging conduits (not shown) a heating medium (such e. g. as the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine) may be introduced into and circulated through the heater chamber 4, so as to transfer heat to the bottom plate 3.

The inverted conical bottom plate 3 slopes downwardly and inwardly toward and converging upon said fuel mixture intake 5, preferably at an angle approximating 45 degrees.

Arranged Within the interior of the housing or casing 1, above the bottom plate 3, is a fitting comprising a partition member 11, which is preferably also of inverted conical form but of shallower angularity than is the bottom plate 3. This partition member 11 is of smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the casing or housing 1, so as to provide a concentric annular opening or passage 12 intermediate its periphery and the sides of said housing or casing. This partition member .same moving toward the annular opening or .11 is spaced above the bottom plate 3 so as to passage 12. As will be obvious, the primary rovide an intermediate zone of maximum vaporizing chamber is contiguous to the botheat contiguous to said bottom plate 3, adapttomplate 3, which is maintained at maximum 5 ed to provide a primary vaporizing chamber temperature by the heating medium circu- 70 into which the fuel mixture intake 5 leads, lated through the heating chamber 4, and and which has its outlet, by way of the annuconsequently said primary vaporizing chainlar opening or passage 12. ber constitutes a zone of maximum heat, not Extending between the partition member only receiving heat radiated from the hot 11 and bottom plate 3, and radially from the bottom plate 3, but also having its curved 75 fuel mixture intake 5 to the annular opening plates 13 highly heated by conduction from or passage 12, are a plurality of curved or said bottom plate 3, with which the lower arcuate plates 13, so spaced as to provide a ends of said curved plates 13 are in contact. plurality of curved intermediate passages Owing to the curvature of said plates 13, and 15 contiguous to which isavery considerablearea the corresponding curvature of the passages of supporting surface which the sides of said intermediate the same, the fuel mixture traplates 13 rovide. The primary vaporizing versing said passages is given a centrifugal chamber tiius provided is immediately above movement, whereby unvaporized particles of the'bottom plate 3 to whichthe maximum deliquid contained in the mixture are .caused go gree of heat is transferred from the heating to impinge upon the surfaces of said curved chamber t, so that said primaryv vaporizing plates 13, so as to be caught thereon and supchamber, including the curved plates 13 are ported subject to the effect of the heat within at a maximum heat during operation of the the hot zone and that conducted through said device, and much of the heat transferred urv d pl s, e by po i i 0f th 25 thereto by radiation from the bottom plate liquid fuel particles, and particularly the 3 and. by conduction through the curved heavy ends thereof, is hastened by heat. plates13 also serving to heat the partition Any wet fuel particles not immediately vamember 11, v porized by contact with the surfaces of the lhe interior of the housing or casing 1 hot curved plates 13', will tend to trickle down to above the partition member 11 (as shown in such surfaces toward the hotter lower por- 5 Figs. 1 and 2) provides a secondary vaporiztions of said curved plates 13 and in the end ing chamber. Extending upwardly from upon the hot bottom plate 3, being readily said partition member 11, and radially from vaporized as a degree of heat adequate to a center hub or column 1a to the annular such effect is met with. In addition to the 85 opening or passage 12, are a plurality of vaporizing effect of the heat, thus applied to 108 curved arcuate plates 15, so spaced as to pro the wet fuel particles, and particularl to the vide a plurality of curved intermediate pas heavier ends of the volatile fuel, t e thus sages contiguous to which is a very considersupported W t fuel particles are also subable area of supporting surface provided by ected to the frlctlonal vaporizing effect of 40 the sides of said plates 15. Said plates 15 the mov n stream of fuel mixture. The are reversel curved as' compared with the passages o the primary vaporizing chamber curvature o the plates 13, for the reason that r f cre s g area from n a e oward thejntake ends of the passages intermediate discharge ends thereof, SO that the movement the plates 15 communicates with annular of the stream is slowed down and expansion 15 opening or passage 12, the outl t of id 1935- thereof'permitted, which in combination with 11" sages being at the upper ends th r f so as the centrifugal motion imparted tends to to discharge into the cover member 2. Said quickly deposit theheavier wet fuel particover member 2 is provided with a discharge cles on the supporting surfaces of the curved passage 16, which, in practice, is connected Plates 13 ifi fi 0 the heat induced po i e to with the fueldelivery manifold of an internal ing effects above described. combustionv engine or other device to 'be T fuel m x is d rg m t served by the vaporizer. primary vaporizing chamber through the- In operation, a mechanical mixture of annular passage 12 in the form of a fogor volatile liquid fuel and air (such as is delivmist, from which substantially all the heavier S5 ered by any well known ca buretting device) wet particles havebeen separated by the va- 2a is delivered to the vaporizing apparatus porizing effects occurring in the primary vathrough the fuel mixture intake 5, as, for porizing chamber. The fuel mixture'is thereexample, under the suction of the fuel intake upon caused to enter the secondary vaporiz-- strokes of the pistons of an internal combusing chamber above the partition member 11, 30 tioii engine served by said vaporizing appaand to spread through the curvilinear pas- 12: ratus. The fuel mixture, thus enterlng the sages thereof bounded by the reversely curved vaporizer apparatus, is deflectedby the partiplates 15, the same tending to flow obliquely tion member 11,'and is caused to enter and upward therethrou h ,for final discharge traverse the passages of the primary vaporfrom the top ends of said passages into and Q6 izing chamber intermediate the plates 13, the through the cover section 2. Owing to-the 13 sages, whereby the progress of the same is delayed sulficiently to permit of evaporation thereof. Since the partition member 11 is the hot zone formed by more or less heated owing to its contiguity to the primary vaporizing chamber, and owing to the fact that the heat thereof tends to be conducted-upwardly through the curved plates 15, the wet fuel particles deposited on the surfaces of the latter are again subjected to increasing heat as they trickle down, under gravity, the said surfaces, and consequently these particles are subjected to both the vaporizing effects of heat and friction of the moving mixture streams, so as to be finally vaporized and returned to said outgoing fuel mixture stream.

Owing to the reverse curvature of the plates 15 of the secondary vaporizing chamber, there is no abrupt change of direction of movement of the fuel mixture streams as the same flow from the primary to and through the secondary vaporizing chamber, but rather passages of somewhat ascending spiral conformation are formed through the vaporizing chambers, whereby a smooth unimpeded and unrestricted flow of the fuel mixture is ass'ured,-with the development of sufficient centrifugal effect at all points of its travel to assure-both de osit of Wet fuel particles upon the plate sur aces and frictional contact of the fuel streams with said surfaces.

From the above description it will be apparent, that the raw carburetted fuel mixture is first subjected to a maximum heat effect while traversing the primary vaporizing chamber and then to a reduced or milder heat effect While traversing the secondary vaporizing chamber, whereby the heavy ends of the liquid fuel are all initially treated and substantially vaporized in the initial hot zone of the primary vaporizing chamber, while any remaining liquid particles are delayed and vaporized in the secondary vaporizing chamber. As a result the resultant vaporized fuel mixture has an opportunity to cool down somewhat before it is finally discharged to the place of use, e. g. internal combustion engine cylinders.

While I have shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive a simple form of vaporizer apparatus embodying the principles of this invention, and comprising a primary hot zone vaporizing chamber and a single secondary vaporizing chamber, it will be understood that I may increase the number of secondary vapor-. izing chambers, if desired. For example, I have shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a modified arrangement and construction of vaporizer device, in which the fuel mixture streams are led from a primary hot zone vaporizing chamber to a succee ing secondary vaporizmg chamber, and from the same as with the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the parts thereof being identified by corresponding characters of reference. Spaced above the partition member 11 (which is disposed to provide the annular outgoing passage 12' from the primary vaporizing chamber) is another partition member 17 preferably of shallower conical angle than that of the partition member 11 said partition 7 member 17 having a central discharge opening 18. Arranged within the space intermediate the partition member 11 and the partition member 17, and so as to extend upwardly from the former to the latter, and radially inward from the sides of the casing'or housing 1 to a central passage 19, are a' plurality of curved or arcuate plates 20 and shorter intermediate plates 21, so spaced as to provide a plurality of curved inwardly reaching pas sages contiguous to which is a very considable area 0 supporting surface provided by the sides of said plates 20 and 21. Said passages extend from the annular opening 12 to the central passage 19 upon which they converge, and the plates 2021 and intermediate passages are preferably reversely curved as compared with the curvature of the plates 13 and passages intermediate the latter, which lie within the primary vaporizing chamber.

Spaced above the partition member 17 is a top partition member or plate 22, which is of smallerdiameter than the inside diameter of the casing or housing 1 so as to provide an annular disch leading into the within the space member 17 and cover section 2. Arranged intermediate the partition partition member or plate 22, and so as to extend upwardly from the former to the latter, and radially outward from the central passage 19 to the sides of said casing or housing 1, are a plurality of curved or arcuate plates 24, and shorter intermediate plates 25, so spaced as to provide a plurality of curved outwardly reaching passages contiguous to whichis a very considerable area of supporting surface provided by the sides of said plates 24.-25. Said lates 2425, and the passages defined therey, are preferably reversely curved as compared with the curvature of the plates 20-21 and passages formed thereby. It will thus be obvious that the fuel mixture in traversing the several chambers from intake to discharge points of the vaporizer will proceed with a continuous smooth sweeping move,- ment from one chamber to the other. It will also be noticed that the heights of the chambers in which the streams move outwardly the latter on through arge opening or passage 23 ,ends. In practice,

aredecreased to compensate for the increasing width of thepassagles toward their discharge ends while the eights of the chamber in which the streams move inwardly is increased to compensate for the decreasing width of the passages toward their discharge the cross-sectional dimensions of the passages in all cases is desire to: gradually increase from intake to dischar e points, so that expansion of the moving uel streamsis progressive with consequent desired slowing up of the speed of movement thereof.

In the modified arrangement of vaporizer as immediately above described, the maximum zone of heat is provided in the lowermost or primary vaporizing chamber, and owing to the spacing of the succeeding vaporizing chambers in progressively removed relation to the source of heat, the temperatureetfects are reduced toward the discharge end of the vaporizer as a whole, thus allowing for the cooling down of the vaporized fuel mixture, while yet retaining all the advantages of supporting plate surface with consequent provision of time and that degree of heat best calculated to treat unvaporize of the progliquid fuel particles at all stages through the ress of the fuel mixture stream vaporizer. I

Attention may here be called to the fact that the structure provided by the instant form of vaporizer permits the production of plate sections by casting or molding processes, if desired; the plates being cast integral with the partition plate 11 in a type of construction such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, or in groups respectively integral with the partition plates 11, 17 and 22 as in the type of construction such as illustrated in Figs. 4'a'nd5. Another advantage of the construction comprising a casting or castings, lies in the fact'that the plates have substantial thickness, and consequently the same are more efiiciently heat conductive.

\Vhile in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive I have omitted the showing of shorter plates intermediate the full length plates in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it will nevertheless be understood that such shorter plates may also be provided in the former construction should it be so desired.

I am aware that various changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same,

without departing from the scope of this inforth in the foregoing speci-- fication and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts as described inthe foregoing specification; nordo I confine myself to the exact construction of said vention as set mg having a central drawings.

I claim Z-'- 1. A vaporizing device, comprising a houscarburetted fuel mixmeans to heat said member spaced ture inlet, abottom plate, bottom plate, a partition above said bottom vaporizing tom plate and into which said inlet leads, said chamber being subjected to the maximum heat effects of said bottom plate, said partition member being of less diameter than the inside diameter of said housing to provide an annular opening leading out of said chamber, additional vaporizing space above said partition member, and means in sai chamber and in said space to impart centrifugal movement-to fuel mixture streams passing therethrough and to provide both supporting surface for unvaporized liquid fuel particles and meansto conduct heat to the latter when deposited on said surface.

2. A vaporizing device, comprising a housing.having a central carburetted fuel mixture inlet, a bottom plate, means to heat said bottom plate, a partition member spaced above said bottom plate to provide aninitial vaporizing chamber contiguous to said bottom. plate and into which said inlet leads, said chamber being subjected to the maximum heat eflects of said bottom plate, said partition member being of less diameter than the inside diameter of said housing to provide an annular opening leading out of said chamber, additional vaporizing space above said partition member, a plurality of curved radial plates extending outwardly through said chamber and disposed between said hot bottom plate and said partition member and to. the lower ends of which heat is transferred from said bottom plate for upward conduction therethrough, and a plurality of reversely curved radial plates projecting upwardly from said partition plate and to the lower ends of which heat is transferred from plate to provide an initialhamber contiguous to said botsaid partition plate for upward conduction therethrough, said latter plates providing outgoing passages communicating with said annular opening leading out of said initial vaporizing chamber.

3. A vaporizing device, comprising a casing having a central carburetted fuel mixture inlet leading into the bottom and a vaporized fuel mixture outlet leading from the upper portion thereof, a bottom plate downwardly inclined to converge on said inlet, means to partition member spaced above said bottom plate to provide an initial vaporizing chamber contiguous to said bottom plate and sub- ]ect to latter, said partition member being arranged heat said bottom plate, a

the maximum'heating effects of the to provide an annular discharge opening for 'said chamber, and a vaporizing means comprising a plurality of spaced radially disposed vertical plates rising upwardly from said partition member to provide a plurality of radial passages extending between said annular discharge opening and said vaporized fuel mixture outlet of said casing,'l1eat from said partition being conducted to the lower ends of and upwardly through said plates.

4. A-vaporizing device, comprising a casing having a central carburetted fuel mixture inlet leading into the bottom and a vaporized fuel mixture outlet leading from the upper portion thereof, a bottom plate downwardly inclined to converge on said inlet, means to heat said bottom plate, a artition member spaced above said bottom p ate to provide an initial vaporizing chamber contiguous to said bottom plate and subject to the maximum heating effects of the latter, said partition member being arranged to provide an annular discharge opening for said chamber, and a vaporizing means comprising a plurality of spaced radially disposed vertical plates rising upwardly from said partition member to provide a plurality of radial passages extending between said annular discharge opening and said vaporized fuel mixture outlet of said casing, heat from said partitionglate being conducted to the lower ends of an upwardly through said plates, said plates being curved to impart centrifugal movement to streams of fuel mixture traversing the passages bounded thereby.

5. A vaporizing device, comprising a casiI-ig having a central carburette fuel mixture i et leading into the bottom and a vaporized fuel mixture, outlet leading from the upper portion thereof, a bottom late downwardly inclined to converge on said inlet, means to heat said bottom late, a partition member spaced above said ottom plate to provide an initial vaporizing chamber contiguous to said bottom plate and subject to the maximum heating effects of the latter, said-partition member being arranged to rovide an annular discharge openin for said chamber, a plurality of curved ra ial plates standin between said bottom plate and said partltion member to provide intermediate passa es extending between said fuel mixture st and said annular discharge opening, said plates bein adapted to conduct heat upwardly from said ottom plate to said (ffll'tltlOIl member, and being further adapte to provide a sub- 'stantial area of heated supporting surface for deposit of unvaporized liquid fuel particles separated from the fuel mixture streams bly centrifugal movement of the latter ll", r

to u h said ass y curod radi al m upstanding from said partition member to provide intermediate passages between sai annular discharge opening and the vaporized fuel mixture out- 05 let of the cas ng, said latter plates being a plurality of reverse-' adapted to conduct heat upwardly from said partition member, and belng further adapted to provide a substantial area of progressively heated supporting surface for deposit of unvaporized liquid fuel particles separated from the fuel mixture streams by centrifugal movement of the latter through the intermediategassages.

vaporizing device comprising a casing having its interior divided into a plurality of successive vaporizing chambers including a lower chamber and an upper chamber, each vaporizing chamber having spaced and curved radial plates to impart centrifugal movement to the fuel mixture streams moving therethrough, means of communication between said chambers, means connected with said casing for admitting a carburetted fuel mixture to the lower chamber, means connected with said casing for discharging the vaporized fuel mixture from the upper chambox, and means for applying heat to the bottom of said lower chamber whereby the latter provides an initial zone of maximum heat and the upper chambera zone of minimum heat.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day'of December, 1928.-

ERNEST R. GODWARD. 

